Editorial: Fort Morgan bandshell from dream to reality

Last week the Fort Morgan City Council agreed in principle to offer some financial support to a dedication ceremony for the town's new bandshell.

A group of local citizens put together an impressive fund drive -- with big donations from local folks like the Dahms and Wickham families -- to raise more than $300,000 to build the facility planned in City Park.

The city plans to kick in some funds to give the bandshell a proper kickoff, but the amount has not yet been set.

Dr. Kerry Hart, president of Morgan Community College and active in the fundraising effort, briefed the council on plans -- and those plans, like the bandshell itself, are exciting.

A time capsule is to be placed in the bandshell, and among items planned for the capsule will be a compact disc of music recorded by local music groups.

Those groups will doubtless include the MCC Jazz Ensemble, formed several years ago.

That group recorded a CD called "Home Grown," featuring the music of Fort Morgan's favorite musical son, Glenn Miller, who went to school here before going on to big band fame.

That CD has found its way to such locales as Denmark and Japan and has been featured on several National Public Radio shows.

The new CD will be handed out to donors and will be available for a nominal donation to those who have not yet donated.

The bandshell will be a gathering point for numerous musical and other cultural performances.

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It might be ready for BOBStock, the annual Media Logic Radio rock and roll extravaganza coming up in July.

Then there are weekly Live at the Park performances, mostly musical, during the summer, the Fall Harvest Car Show, and on and on.

It was a big undertaking, but it looks like the results will be well worth the effort.

The views expressed in The Times editorial are independent from the news coverage, offering our opinion and additional commentary on items of public interest. The editor can be reached at editor@fmtimes.com.

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